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The New Amsterdams

Para Toda Vida (2002)
Vagrant Records

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Contributed by: ArturoRoxMySox
(others by this writer | submit your own)

Published on September 16th 2005

This is the sophomore effort coming straight from the lead singer of the infamous Get Up Kids. Para Toda Vida and the band in general goes after a different audience than that of any Get Up Kids album (besides maybe On A Wire). 'For Every Life' is an appropriate name for these 10 acoustic ballads.

If you were a fan of "Overdue" and "Hannah Hold On," then I'm really not sure why you were listening to the Get Up Kids in the first place. But, elaborating on that idea, if you did in fact like the slower Get Up Kids, chances are, you'll like this also. Matt Pryor, with Para Toda Vida, again shows him breaking down barriers and exploring ideas that he could never follow with a full band. Ninety percent of this album is solely Pryor without a keyboard, bassist etc. This is a very solid album; nothing seems to go wrong, but seemingly nothing stands out (with the exception being one or two songs). Soft, somber and subtle songs are what are contained here. So get ready for 10 "Overdue" songs. Which isn't exactly bad.

From start to finish, this isn't much of an inspirational album from the Get Up Kids of old. Matt's vocals aren't challenged, which isn't bad either, as I'm sure no one wants Matt to hit notes he in fact can't hit. "Overdue" would not fit perfectly, but rather "Hannah Hold On." All in all, it is a decent album. But there are only so many ways to play an accoustic guitar.

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soulbleed (September 22, 2005)

'my old man had a pistol' is one of my favorite songs still to this day.

Anonymous (September 20, 2005)

I really like this CD, but then I reckon On A Wire was the get Up Kids' second best album. And since the chances of Matt Pryor solo sounding anything like Something To Write Home About are pretty slim, I'll take this any day of the week.

Never bothered to pick up any more of their stuff though. Wasn't too impressed with the recent free download EP. How do the other two albums compare to this?

SkolarX (September 19, 2005)

the first track on this cd is amazing. the rest of it i found to be fairly forgettable

poopypants (September 19, 2005)

i had this album and sold it...i remember it being so incredibly boring

paul

kenjamin (September 18, 2005)

"Picture in the Paper" is a really good tribute to Paul Westerberg's "Skyway." Atleast check out that song if you dig the Replacements. This is a kinda boring/kinda solid type deal.

Anonymous (September 18, 2005)

i normally dont make comments to put down reviewers....but this is the worst review ive read on this site.

Fuzzy (September 18, 2005)

This album is better than any Get Up Kids album, ever. Such a great collection of folk tunes. This reviewer needs to not look at this trying to find more GUK songs, but rather some folky greatness.

Anonymous (September 18, 2005)

what exactly is the point of reviewing a record that came out 3 years ago that you didn't even really like?

Dante3000 (September 18, 2005)

Thanks. I wasn't trying to be mean or anything but I honestly only know a handful of TGUK stuff and none of the solo work. The review just confused me and made me less interested than when I clicked the link. Still I don't know if I'd buy this stuff, maybe if I found it in the used bin...but that's where I buy 95% of my music.
-Dante

Anchors (September 18, 2005)

Dante, this is Matt Pryor of TGUK's solo project. It's an all-acoustic album, mostly mid to lower tempo stuff. They're all more or less the same formula, but it's a solid one. They started as a full band type deal, with "Never You Mind," and this is the first album with only Pryor.

If you like "Campfire Kansas," you're going to like The New Amsterdams. "Worse For The Wear" their best, and most recent effort, but this isn't bad.

Dante3000 (September 18, 2005)

Wait...So is this a TGUK album? Or an album from the lead singer of TGUK? Or what? I don't understand. All this review talks about is TGUK and "Overdue" and "Hannah Hold On", which I assume are albums from TGUK. But I have no idea because they're not a band I ever listened to. So basically this review has about two lines of remotely useful information. And it's a six! How did that make it onto the classic review area? Isn't this for good albums of yesteryear that we may have missed? Seems this wasn't missed but rightfully ignored.
-Dante

Anchors (September 18, 2005)

This review honestly says absolutely nothing.

Anonymous (September 18, 2005)

why are the get up kids infamous?

mjg (September 18, 2005)

yeah the review is disappointing due to the fact it never highlights the positives of the record. however, i still don't understand how "on a wire" is still as unfavourable as it is, it's up their with "four minute mile" as this band's best recordings.

Anonymous (September 18, 2005)

The first album is still their best by far...this one isnt nearly as good

Anonymous (September 18, 2005)

How does it compare to the first new amsterdams album? I was a huge fan of that one. This review is all about the get up kids but I think there's a lot of new amsterdams fans that don't love the get up kids.

colin (September 18, 2005)

this is really good for what it is, it deserves much as more thn what you gave it

Anonymous (September 18, 2005)

guys spends more time talking about the get up kids.

first.